Hope Mills Board holds emergency meeting

Wednesday

Jun 26, 2013 at 12:01 AMJun 26, 2013 at 9:57 AM

Stacey Gillis

After weeks of contending with the turmoil over the behavior and actions of Commissioner Tonzie Collins, the Board of Commissioners held an emergency board meeting last night, to discuss a lawsuit brought against board members and the town by Collins, for restricting his rights to access public buildings and prevent him from interacting with the town’s employees.

At the board meeting on June 17, board members voted to permanently ban Collins from having contact with town employees and restricted his access to non-public parts of any town buildings.

With over a dozen residents in attendance and a few town employees, the board members examined the motion, which was filed on Monday by Collins’ lawyer, Coy Brewer and conferred with Town Attorney T.C. Morphis on the issue.

The motion states that the ban issued on Collins by the board of commissioners “will cause plaintiff Collins irreparable harm because he will not be able to effectively carry out his responsibilities as an elected member.”

“My view is that we defend the decision of the board to the upmost,” Morphis stated. “Unless I receive information from you to the contrary.”

Mayor Pro Tem Mike Mitchell requested information from Morphis on the process of removing a sitting Commissioner from office. Morphis explained the amotion procedure, in which a hearing takes place in order to have an elected official removed from office. He cited a recent case in which a county commissioner from New Hanover County was removed from office in May.

Mitchell then made a motion to instruct Morphis to provide the board with information on how to remove a sitting Commissioner from the board. In a 4-1 vote, with Collins voting in opposition, the board approved the action. “In the state of North Carolina, a board member can be removed for cause,” Morphis expressed to the board and stated that a court hearing would have to be held to remove a Commissioner from office. “Mr. Collins would have the right to be represented by counsel.”

Collins stated that he believes the board has made a misjudgment in blocking him access to town buildings and communication with the town’s employees. “My attorney has filed a lawsuit on my behalf for the wrong doing of this governing board,” professed Collins.

However, most board members agreed that some form of action must take place, for the purpose of the town’s employees.

“I for one am not going to be intimidated,” Commissioner Pat Edwards declared. “This is for the benefit of the employees of the town of Hope Mills.” “The concern for the treatment of our employees is why we are here,” expressed Mayor Jackie Warner. “We are at a point that something needs to be done to protect the employees and our employees’ rights.”

Collins, who has adamantly denied all allegations, reiterated his stance to the board members, the public and the media. “This is more false allegations up here tonight,” Collins stated. “None of them have ever been substantiated.” “99.9 percent of the employees support me,” Collins declared. “Employees with the town of Hope Mills have not been harassed, intimated or threatened by Commissioner Tonzie Collins.”

The board also discussed the financial implications Collins’ behavior and actions have caused the town. The board also noted that the town’s insurance deductible has risen from $5,000 to $50,000 since Collins took office.

“I know in the month of May, I billed the town for about 30 hours that were fairly related to these issues,” said Morphis, who quoted his rate as $160 per hour. “I haven’t spent that many hours in June, but we are getting there quickly.” Town Manager John Ellis also indicated most of his time each day is dealt with the matter. “At least half of my day or 75 percent of my day,” stated Ellis, is how much time out of his workday is spent on the issue.

Once again, Collins professed the rise in premiums and fees were not directly related to his actions. “We wouldn’t ever been in this situation, if it hadn’t been for our mayor,” Collins said. “It ain’t Tonzie Collins driving up the cost, you better look at your mayor.”

After the public meeting, the board also held a 40-minute closed session meeting, in which they voted to have Collins barred from. Upon returning from the meeting, the minutes were sealed and no action was taken.

After the meeting, Collins was tightlipped with his remarks to the press. “Talk to my lawyer,” reiterated Collins.

When I asked if he believed this controversy would hurt his chances at re-election, “talk to my lawyer,” is all that he answered. Majority of the board members agreed they would pursue whatever actions were required to safeguard the town and promote a safe and secure workplace environment for its employees.

“Right now, we're just seeking information as to what that process should be,” said Warner. “I’m sorry it’s come to this, but we will do whatever is necessary to protect our town,” stated Mitchell. “If matters don’t settle don’t settle down and if they stay escalated, then we may have to consider taking that type of action,”

Mitchell stated, in regards to having to remove Collins from public office. The Collins saga continues today at 10 a.m. in room 3-B at the Cumberland County Courthouse, where a hearing for a temporary restraining order, over the board’s restrictions placed on Collins will take place. The next regular Board of Commissioners meeting will be held on Monday at 7p.m. at Town Hall.

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